Though cancer affects people of all races and ethnicities, there is a greater disease burden for certain populations. This is also true for viruses that are linked to cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C are preventable viruses that can lead to several types of cancer and disproportionally affect communities of color.
For example, Asian-Americans constitute just four percent of the population in the U.S., but comprise more than half of the nation’s 1.2–2 million people chronically infected with hepatitis B.
In addition:
- Black men have higher rates of anal cancer than white men.
- Hispanic men have higher rates of penile cancer than non-Hispanic men.
- Hispanic women have the highest rates of cervical cancer in the U.S.
- Black women have higher rates of vaginal cancer than women of other races.
These cancers, in many instances, are caused by HPV.
On Tuesday, December 13th, the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Think About the Link® campaign hosted a briefing to raise awareness about this issue.
Watch the briefing here and learn more about these viruses and related cancers.
Moderated by WUSA9’s health reporter, Andrea Roane, four outstanding speakers shared their respective research and experience in reducing knowledge gaps and incidence rates of HPV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and related cancers in the African-American, Asian and Hispanic communities in the U.S.
Watch the video and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and loved ones. Make an appointment today to talk to your doctor or your child’s doctor about being screened for these viruses and/or vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B.
In addition, you can make a difference on this issue and spread the word about the link between viruses and cancer by using our Action Toolkit. Click here to get started.
By sharing this information with your community, you can help Stop Cancer Before It Starts!®
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